Connected tables



Oct. 21, 1958 L.'M. FUREY CONNECTED TABLES Filed May 23, 1958 INVENTCR A'ITORNEY United States Patent G CONNECTED TABLES Lawrence M. Furey, Warwick, Va.

Application May 23, 1958, Serial No. 737,458

10 Claims. (Cl. 311--4) (Granted under Title 35, S. Code (1952), sec. 26 6) e The invention described herein, if patented, maybe manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon. a v

The invention relates to connected tables and more particularly to substantially identical tables which can be connected together to form a single large table such as a banquet table.

Such tables are well known but have certain disadvantages. For instance, it is necessary that such tables be capable of being used separately as individual tables. Therefore, they must have legs or other supporting means at each end. It follows that when connected together in end-to-end relation two pairs of legs exist at the areas of each joint. This provides relatively thick pedestals which must be straddled by the unfortunate occupants who are seated in those areas. Even if it is not necessary to straddle the two adjacent legs, the leg room at one side or the other of the seated diner is considerably restricted.

With the foregoing in view, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved structure for connected tables.

A further object is to provide improved connected tables wherein the legs or other supporting means at the on nected ends or joints between adjoining tables are in lateral alignment so that they occupy the usable leg room of but a single leg or supporting means. i

A further object is to provide improved connected tables such as that last described wherein the supporting means for each adjoining table includes projecting means underlying and supporting the other adjoining table.

Other objects and advantages reside in the particular structure of the connected tables, the structure of the several elements of the same, combinations and sub-combinations of such elements with each other and/or its table or one or more adjoining tables, all of which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the attached drawing which illustrates one species of the invention and to the following specification wherein the invention is described and claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view looking from below of three tables according to the invention, the tables being shown separated;

Figure 2 is a plan view showing the three tables of Figure 1 connected together;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view looking from below and showing two tables according to the invention connected together;

Figures 4 and 5 are enlarged, fragmentary, vertical sectional views taken substantially and respectively on the planes of the lines 4-4 and 5-5 of Figure 2.

Referring specifically to the drawing wherein like reference characters designate like parts in all views, designates generally a number of tables each having a top 11 and supporting means 12 and 13 at opposite ends. In the species illustrated as an example of the invention, the supthe supporting means 12 and 13 are so located relative to their tabletops 11 that when such tops are in end-to-end relation, Figures 2 and 3, the supporting means 12 and 13 at the adjoining ends are in lateral alignment so that they occupy no more usable leg room space than a single supporting means.

This last is achieved by offsetting the supporting means 12 and 13 slightly beyond the ends '14 and 15 respectivelyof their table tops 11. As each supporting means is offset beyond its table top end one half the thickness of each supporting means, the supporting means 12 and 13 are necessarily aligned when one table top end 14 aligned and abutted with a table top end 15 of an adjoining table. Moreover, it should be noted that the exposed upper end 16 of each supporting means 12 and the exposed upper end 17 of each supporting means 13 underlies and supports the ends 14 and 15 respectively of the abutting table tops 11. Thus, each table top 11 is supported by both supporting means 12 and 13 at both ends 14 and 15 whereby an extremely strong support is provided. To connect the tables 10 together in the end-to-end relation shown. and described, there has been provided novel latch means now to be described. The latch here illustrated comprises a slot 18 formedin the upper surface 17 of each supporting means 13 which slots'extend lengthwise of their table tops 11 and which have floors 19 which preferably slope upwardly from the outer ends' thereof to provide cam surfaces. The slots 18 are open Each table top 11 has mounted on the undersurface thereof in the region of its end 14 a latch at both ends.

bolt 20 which is between the supporting means 12 and in alignment with the slot 18. Any suitable support for the bolt 20 may be provided such as the laterally spaced and apertured ears 21 which are spanned by a laterally ex tending pivot pin 22 on which one end of the bolt 20 is freely pivoted so that it normally depends vertically therefrom as shown in full lines in Figure 1. The free end of the bolt 20 is formed with a hook-like dog 23 which depends from the bolt 20 when the latter is lifted to the horizontal or operative position illustrated in broken lines in Figure l and in full lines in Figures 2, 3, and 4 particularly the latter. latch bolt 20 is in alignment with the slot 18 so that when two table top ends 14 and 15 are brought into aligned endto-end relation and then moved into abutting relation,

the bolt 20 enters the slot 18 with the dog 23 riding on the upwardly sloping floor 19. Justbefore the ends 14 and 15 become abutting, the dog 23 clears the inner end of the slot 18 whereby the bolt 20 drops down by gravity and the dog 23 engages behind the supporting means 13 to readily releasably secure the two tables 10 together. To release the attachment, it is only necessary to engage the finger piece 24 which projects beyond the dog 23 and manually elevate the dog 23 until it is clear of the floor 19 of the slot 18 and then separate the abutting tables until the dog 23 enters the slot 18. Thereafter, the latch bolt 20 can be released and the tables separated by being pulled apart.

It is apparent from the foregoing that the connected tables according to the invention provide a sturdy unit when connected together and that any number may be connected together to provide a table of any desired length. It should be noted also, that the latch bolts 20 not only secure the tables against separation longitudinally but also prevent relative lateral movement of the ad joining tables. Likewise, it is apparent that U-shaped or Patented Oct. 21, 1958 When in the operative position, the a T-shaped banquet tables can be constructed and that the projections 16 or 17 of the supporting means will project under and assist in the supporting of the crossing table top ll. Of course, the:tables:10 may'be usedindividually and provide a sturdy support at iboth'ends.

=Moreover, while therehas been shown and described what is now thought to be .the preferred embodiment-of the invention, :it is understood that the same :is susceptible of other forms and expressions. Therefore, the :invention is not, considered to be limited to the particular structure shown and described hereinabove but only as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. At .least two connected tables, :said'rtables having opposite ends, each table having a pair of legs at one end in laterally =spacedrelation, each table having a single leg at the other end centrally thereof, means Lreadily detachably connecting said tables together in end-to-en d relation, and said legs being so located thatisaid :single leg of one table is between and in alignment with said pair of legs of said other table.

2. At least two connected tables, said tables including table .tops having opposite ends, reach table having a pair of legs at one end of said top in 'laterallyrspaced relation and a single legat the otherend of saidtop centrally thereof, each leg including an upper end projecting slightly beyond the related end of said table top, means Ireadily detachably connecting :said tables together with said "tops abutting in end-to-end relation :with said single leg of one table between and in alignment with said pair of legs at the other table, and said projecting upper ends of said last mentioned legs being disposed in underlying and supporting relation to said'abutting ends of said table tops.

.3. Connected tables according to claim l,'wherein said single legs are each formed with an opening therethrough, a hook latch pivotally mounted between each pair 'of legs, and said hook latch of one table projecting through said opening in said single leg of the other table to provide said :means connecting said tables together.

4. Connected tables according to claim 2, wherein 'said upper ends of said single legs are each formed with a groove thereacross in a direction longitudinally of its table top, a hook latch carried 'by each table top centrally thereof and .in alignment with said single leg, and said hook latch of one table projecting through said groove on said single leg of the other table to provide said means connecting said tables together.

5. At least two connected tables, said tables including table tops having opposite ends, each table having a pair of legs at one end of said top in laterally spaced relation and a single leg at the other end of said top centrally thereof, each leg including projecting means extending beyond the related end of said table top, means readily detachably connecting said tables together with said tops abutting in end-to-end relation with said single leg of one table between andin alignment with said pair of legs-of the other table, and said projecting means of said last mentioned legs being disposed in underlying and supporting relation to said abutting ends of said table tops.

6. In a table arrangement wherein at least two tables are disposed in end-to-end relation and including means readily detachably connecting said tables together with adjacent ends abutting; the improvement comprising table supporting means at each end of each table, the supporting means at said abutting end of one table being laterally ofiset relative to the supporting means of said abutting end of said other table, and said supporting means'of both tables at said abutting ends being in lateral alignment.

7..A table arrangement according to claim 6, wherein said table supporting means for each table at said abutting ends including projecting means underlying and supporting the other table.

8. At least two connected tables, each table including a table top having oppositeendsgeach table having atleast one leg at each opposite end,.-means readily detachably connecting said tables together with adjacent table top ends abutting, said legs at said abutting'endsbeing laterally offset and in lateral alignment.

' 9. At least'two connected tables, each'table including a table top-having opposite ends, each table top being supported at each opposite end by at least one table leg,'said t'a'bles being disposed in longitudinal alignment with one end of one table top abutting the opposite end of the other, said legs at said abutting ends of said table 'tops beinglaterally offset and in lateral alignment, and means on each table leg at 'said abutting ends ofsaid table tops underlying'and supporting the table top of the adjoining table.

1-0. At least two connected tables,each table includin'g'a table-top having opposite ends, each table top being supportedat each -'of said ends by'at leastonetable leg, 's'aid tables being disposed with one end of one table top adjoining '-the opposite end of the other, said legs at said adjoining'en ds being laterally ofiset, each leg being substantially straight and vertical, each leg having an upper end portion projecting beyond the associated end of 'its table'topa distance amounting to substantially one half the thickness of the leg whereby to bring all of said legs at said adjoining ends into lateral alignment, and said projecting upper end portions of each of said table legs underlying and supporting the adjoining table top.

References'Cited in the fileof this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

